Bobcat Alert Issued In Vernon

VERNON, CT — The Vernon Animal Control Department has issued a bobcat alert after a sighting this week.

A bobcat was seen in the area of 801 Hartford Turnpike, according to the department.

"As a reminder If you see a bobcat do not approach it and call the Vernon Police Department at 860-872-9126," officials said.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has a page dedicated to bobcats. The DEEP Wildlife Division initiated a bobcat study in 2017 to investigate bobcat habitat use in different housing densities in Connecticut. Biologists want to determine how the state's bobcats meet their needs in both rural and urban areas, as well as how successful bobcats are at reproduction and survival.

Some of the highlights from the study include:

• Male bobcat home ranges are typically larger than female bobcat home ranges. A male’s home range will often overlap with several females. On the other hand, female bobcat home ranges typically do not overlap with other females.
• Brush piles, downed trees, and even sheds are often used as den sites by female bobcats to raise their young.
• Female bobcats will often move their den to a new location every couple of weeks when they have kittens. Moving the den location helps keep the kittens hidden by limiting their scent in one area, reducing their risk of predation.
• Through necropsies and kill site visits, biologists found a majority of the bobcat’s diet includes rabbits, squirrels, small rodents, but bobcats will also prey on deer and turkeys.
• Bobcats are actually choosing habitat that is close to human development, even when large tracts of undeveloped habitat are available, suggesting there is a benefit to spending time hunting near houses.
• Ambush cover and travel corridors are essential factors in whether or not bobcats will use urban areas.

Click here for information on reporting a bobcat sighting.